Asthma & Exposure to Peaks in Particulate Air Pollution

Summary

We are testing the following two hypotheses: 1) Peaks in hourly exposures to airborne
particulate matter (PM) of outdoor origin will be more closely associated with acute
asthmatic responses to particles than 24-hour average exposures in susceptible individuals;
2) Personal exposure to PM, and estimated particle dose to the lungs, will be more closely
associated with daily asthma severity than standard outdoor particle concentrations measured
as 24-hour averages at governmental monitoring sites.

Description

We are testing the following two hypotheses: 1) Peaks in hourly exposures to airborne
particulate matter (PM) of outdoor origin will be more closely associated with acute
asthmatic responses to particles than 24-hour average exposures in susceptible individuals;
2) Personal exposure to PM, and estimated particle dose to the lungs, will be more closely
associated with daily asthma severity than standard outdoor particle concentrations measured
as 24-hour averages at governmental monitoring sites. Toxicological data for asthma
exacerbations from particulate matter (PM) suggests that particle deposition in the lower
respiratory tract can cause inflammatory and lung function changes suggestive of asthma
pathology. There is now a scientific need to explain epidemiological findings of ambient PM
effects on asthmatics at mass concentrations below what is expected (from toxicological
data) to be harmful. One possibility is that study participants are encountering unmeasured
short-term excursions of particle mass levels capable of inducing adverse reactions in the
lung, but this effect is only captured somewhat by the regulatory standard of 24-hour
averages. Our research in southern California is vital to the current controversy regarding
regulatory standards given that a health-based scientific rationale for any specific PM
averaging time is not established.

Mepolizumab targets eosinophils in the treatment of asthma. The dose used for asthma is considerably lower than that used for treating eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a recently approve...

A stepwise therapeutic management is recommended for asthma patients by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Little is known about the recommendations applied in real world settings. This study ai...

To investigate whether patients with moderate to severe asthma who commence an exercise training program in winter or summer show differences in exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQo...

Asthma often debuts in early life (1). During childhood, the prevalence of asthma is higher in boys, but prevalence is higher in girls after puberty (2). The goal of asthma treatment is to achieve and...

Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions

Asthma attacks following a period of exercise. Usually the induced attack is short-lived and regresses spontaneously. The magnitude of postexertional airway obstruction is strongly influenced by the environment in which exercise is performed (i.e. inhalation of cold air during physical exertion markedly augments the severity of the airway obstruction; conversely, warm humid air blunts or abolishes it).

Anti-asthmatic Agents

Drugs that are used to treat asthma.

Orciprenaline

A beta-adrenergic agonist used in the treatment of asthma and bronchospasms.

Isoetharine

Adrenergic beta-2 agonist used as bronchodilator for emphysema, bronchitis and asthma.

More From BioPortfolio on "Asthma & Exposure to Peaks in Particulate Air Pollution"

Relevant Topics

AllergiesThe term allergy is used to describe a response, within the body, to a substance, which is not necessarily harmful in itself, but results in an immune response and a reaction that causes symptoms and disease in a predisposed person, which in turn can cau...